Giants Quest

After approximately 100 turns (varied by your World Progress setting) you will start to get random "Tremor" events which slowly increase in danger and difficulty.

Random Tremor Events

These events can affect the town or an expedition or both.

Shaken with Tremors

The whole land is shaken with tremors! Groans and thudding footsteps are heard without. (You will get one of the options below only as a choice - random each time)

Try to hold on to something!
- Several children fall into the cracks created by the tremors. Lose ~2 children. +1XP
Try to hold on to something.
- gain random amount of Sandstone (this doesn't always happen)
- 5 villagers receive 3 wounds each
- +1XP
Try to hold on to something.
- Damn these tremors! (nothing bad happens)
- +1XP
Try to hold on to something.
- 5 villagers receive 3 wounds each
- +1XP

Unnatural Earthquake

The night is quiet and calm, but suddenly, the ground shakes beneath your feet without any warning!

Get ready for trouble.
- In the name of Mokosh, what is this? (most of time same as try to find cover but sometimes leads to no physical challenge at all - requires Mokosh as deity?)
- Try to find cover [2-skull physical]
  - Success:
    - 3 villagers get 10 turn Bless of Will
    - Damn it! Sounds like some sort of creature...
    - +3XP 1RP
  - Failure:
    - lose 100 food
    - 3 villagers +5 wounds each
    - +3XP 1 RP
???

Lone Elderly Man

Another tremor shakes your village to its core. The fields around your home shake violently and the skies turn dark and foreboding.

The earth grumbles and cracks open, but before reaching your threshold, it all stops.

In the midst of the chaos, you see a lone elderly man trying to make it to your gates.

Try to help him out.
- Eventually you will get these options:
  - Shouldn't we move our village?
  - How do we stop them?
    - Gain top quality weapon, awesome artifact/s, 1 stack of a top tier resource
      - Alright, give us the directions and maybe we will look.
        Gain the first Giant's Return map marker
        
        3XP
      - ???
      - ???
  - An Elf from your village steps up to speak... (Requires an Elf in the village)
    - Gives the same 2 options as above
Just watch him, weapons at the ready.
- All dialog options lead the same options as above..
Kill the stranger!
'Stay away from our village stranger!' Don't let him in.

NOTE: I think this occurs if the Giant's Awakening quest has progressed far enough for the first map marker to appear, but you haven't started/completed the Cosmic Tree Quest line yet.

Giants Return:

Approximately 150-300 turns into the game, you will get an encounter from Kostey and the Oracle telling you about the dangers of the awakening Giants and starting a series quest chains. The Quest may instead be introduced to you by Annasari, an Elven druid from Silveroak - this might be the default if you have already finished the Cosmos Tree quest line and discovered Silveroak. Or the Quest may instead be introduced to you by an old scholar from the growing university - this might be the default if you have already finished the Cosmos Tree quest line and sided with the Humans.

NOTE: You may have the Lone Man encounter instead of one of these encounters, in which case this is all skipped.

Results of the conversation will depend upon your deity:

Horos

Lada

After accepting the quest, 12 of your villagers (can be in town or on expedition) get 40 turn Bless of Speech, and 8 get 40 turn Bless of Attractiveness. +3XP

Svarog

After accepting the quest, 12 of your villagers (can be in town or on expedition) get 35 turn Bless of Health, and 6 get 35 turn Bless of Dexterity. +3XP

Morena

After accepting the quest, 12 of your villagers (can be in town or on expedition) get 40 turn Bless of Speech, and 8 get 40 turn Bless of Attractiveness. +3XP

Veles

This might be a special one. See "Lone Elderly Man" under the Tremor events above.

Zorya

After accepting the quest, 12 of your villagers (can be in town or on expedition) get 35 turn Bless of Health, and 8 get 35 turn Bless of Dexterity. +3XP

Anasari

If Anasari is the one to explain it to you, you will get the following instead. After Anasari explains what is happening, she gives you a gift for helping her kin.

Gain a bow, trinket, armour
8 villagers gain Blessing of Magic regardless of where they currently are.
1 villager gains Will +3 Magic +3
+4XP 1RP

Scholar

If old scholar is the one to explain it to you, you will get the following instead. After old scholar explains what is happening, he gives you a gift for helping his kin.

Gain a jewelry
One of your jewelry gain Magic +4
1 villager (probably who recruit from deity quest) gains Int +9 Will +6 Folklore +6
+4XP 1RP

Giant's Return map marker will be added to your map.

Giants Return first quest marker

NOTE: There are different variations of how you learn about the story of the Giants and what to do next. The encounter is random and you will discover who you are dealing with when you eventually visit the first map marker (although you can guess who it will be baesd on what the messenger tells you to do in the previous stage). They each involve meeting with a shaman/wise one/king of one of the other races.

Variation 1 - Goblins

You find a small encampment hidden away from the unknowing eye. Within, you see a group of Goblins sitting in a small hut ... [snip]

A Goblin in your party speaks up "Yes boss master shaman. We gotta know of these big ones before they all squish us like bugs!" - (Requires a Goblin in the expedition)
- [snip] .. drink and listen to the spirits of old. 3 skull Sickness challenge
  - After succeeding, you get the story of the Giants. All choices eventually lead to the same decision point regarding the Umbrage Lord. This choice is final and excludes the other decision.
    - Getting some help may be wise. Where do we find the Planetnik lord?
      - We do not know. Seek the Weatherer. +12XP 1RP
    - So we kill lots of Giants, but how do we find the Umbrage lord?
"An Orc in your party speaks up, their voice agitated: 'Don't play any games with us, little vermin, or else I may have to remind you of the old days and show you who's boss!" (Requires Orc in Party)
- The Goblin Shaman tries to look unperturbed, but you see him sweat a bit and swallo hard as he answers: 'Yes, well, you come to my home, mister! These are not the days of gobbos being your footstools! Here I am the boss! So if you want to know what my spirits know and fight the shadow fiends, you will drink this potion and travel to the spirit world on my terms!
  - "'Tell me what I need to know, now! Or I will bash you into the ground! (2-skull social)
    - Success! - Gain the potion with no side effects or additional challenges.
  - 'Fine, fine, sorry for earlier. We will drink your potion and do as you say. (3-skull sickness)

"The ghost that travels with you looks at the shaman and speaks: 'I sense the answers lie within my kin. Is it not so?" (Requires a Ghost in the expedition)
- [snip]... No need for no potions here. Just sit by the fire and listen to the dead ones speak truth!
  - 'Thank you, shaman, you are of great help and we appreciate this. I will take my people and we will speak with your spirit friends.'
    - You get the story of the Giants without any challenge.
Yes, we wish to know how to stop them.
- Alright, we'll do it. [4-skull Sickness challenge]
  - Success - Speak to spirits with option to skip story.
Come back later
???
???

Variation 2 - Dwarves

You find a stone house standing alone in the middle of nowhere...[snip]

Your Dwarven friend steps up to speak. (requires a Dwarf in the party)
- Let us go in
  - The Dwarf in your party speaks up... [snip]
    - We are in need of aid ... [snip]
    - How dare you insult our friend!
      - 1 villager gains a Deforming Curse
      - You then speak with the Dwarf Runemaster and get the story of the Giants. All choices eventually lead to the same decision point regarding the Umbrage Lord. This choice is final and excludes the other decision.
        Getting some help may be wise. Where do we find the Planetnik lord?
        We do not know. Seek the Weatherer. +12XP 1RP
        
        So we kill lots of Giants, but how do we find the Umbrage lord?
    - ???
  - Approach cautiously
- Do the obstacle course [4 skull physical]
- ???
- ???
Your Elven companion frowns and whispers. (requires an Elf in the party)
- This smells of Dwarven build..
  - Right, time to do it the hard way [4 skull physical]
    - Success - You speak with a Dwarf Runemaster and get the story of the Giants. All choices eventually lead to the same decision point regarding the Umbrage Lord. This choice is final and excludes the other decision.
      - Getting some help may be wise. Where do we find the Planetnik lord?
        We do not know. Seek the Weatherer. +12XP 1RP
      - So we kill lots of Giants, but how do we find the Umbrage lord?
  - Well, perhaps there is another way. (Requires Veles, same as below)
  - ???
  - ???
Go through the obstacle course [physical]
You feel magic is guarding this place. (Requires high magic and/or witches?)
- Your mages sense strong spells...
  - Try to break the spell (5 skull hex)
    - Success - 1 villager +3 Migic, +2 Will
    - Failure - 1-2 wounds to 2 villagers and Cursed to 3 villagers.
  - Just do the obstacle course (4 skull physical)
You feel magic is guarding this place. (Requires Veles, same as above)
Leave it for now

All above choices except 'Leave it for now' leads to the following dialog.

You speak with a Dwarf Runemaster and get the story of the Giants. All choices eventually lead to the same decision point regarding the Umbrage Lord. This choice is final and excludes the other decision.

Getting some help may be wise. Where do we find the Planetnik lord?
- We do not know. Seek the Weatherer. +12XP 1RP
So we kill lots of Giants, but how do we find the Umbrage lord?
- Alrigth, attack and defeat four groups of Giants. +12XP 1RP

Variation 3 - Oak Father (Elves)

You come to a place that looks like a barren hillside, with one old tree stump sticking out like a sore thumb.

You don't see anyone here, but you're sure this is the place you were meant to go.

Suddenly, the hillside under the tree stump shakes, and a set of large green eyes opens and looks at you:

'Helloo, straangers. Yoou coome heere looking foor knowledge, but I aam old and sleepy. Whyy should I tell aanything about my own kind?'

The two elves in your party speak up... (Requirement: at least 2 elves in your expedition)
- You speak with the Oak Father and can get a bunch of history and information. All choices eventually lead to the same decision point regarding the Umbrage Lord. This choice is final and excludes the other decision.
  - Getting some help may be wise. Where do we find the Planetnik lord?
    - We do not know. Seek the Weatherer. +12XP 1RP
  - So we kill lots of Giants, but how do we find the Umbrage lord?
    - Alright, attack and kill 4 groups of Giants. +12XP 1RP
We were told you can help save Thea from this new threat...[snip]
- I smell demonkind in yoour midst...[snip] [5 skull Physical] (NOTE: this only occurs if you have demons in your party)
  - Success
    - You speak with the Oak Father and can get a bunch of history and information. All choices eventually lead to the same decision point regarding the Umbrage Lord. This choice is final and excludes the other decision.
    - Getting some help may be wise. Where do we find the Planetnik lord?
      - We do not know. Seek the Weatherer. +12XP 1RP
    - So we kill lots of Giants, but how do we find the Umbrage lord?
      - Alright, attack and kill 4 groups of Giatns. +12XP 1RP
- 'You seem like decent folk. Still you ask me to betray my own kind"...[snip] [4 skull Physical]
  - Success
  - Failure
    - 5 villagers receive 8 wounds each
    - You speak with the Oak Father and can get a bunch of history and information. All choices eventually lead to the same decision point regarding the Umbrage Lord. This choice is final and excludes the other decision.
    - Getting some help may be wise. Where do we find the Planetnik lord?
      - We do not know. Seek the Weatherer. +12XP 1RP
    - So we kill lots of Giants, but how do we find the Umbrage lord?
      - Alright, attack and kill 4 groups of Giatns. +12XP 1RP

By the grace of Lada, please help our cause (requires Lada as your goddess)

You speak with the Oak Father and can get a bunch of history and information. All choices eventually lead to the same decision point regarding the Umbrage Lord. This choice is final and excludes the other decision.
- Getting some help may be wise. Where do we find the Planetnik lord?
  - We do not know. Seek the Weatherer. +12XP 1RP
- So we kill lots of Giants, but how do we find the Umbrage lord?
  - Alright, attack and kill 4 groups of Giatns. +12XP 1RP

Giants Return - next stage

If you have decided to kill a lot of Giants, see the option at the bottom "Giant Slayer"

If you have decided to find the Planetnik Lord, a series of random events will occur which will help with your decision (see below)

Find the Weatherer

These events should occur in a random order and help you to track down the Planetnik Lord.

Wildwife

You come across signs of a Giants crossing and you also catch rumours of a Wildwife sighting not too far away.

+1XP. A moving map marker is added to the map. When you encounter the map marker:

You come across a female giant - a true Wildwife... [snip]

Atttack. [1 orange skull fight] - a Wildwife and 4 Rockers
- Success:
  - Loot: 2 stacks of top tier resources, 1 top-tier armor/weapon
  - +12 XP, 2RP
Run away
Hello?
- [1 orange skull fight]
- [3 skull social]
  - Gain 2 stacks of top tier resources
  - +8XP 1RP
- Whatever, do you know the Planetnik?

Looking for the Weatherer

Your scouts find some Giant tracks. +1XP. "Looking for the Weatherer" map marker appears.

Part 2 map marker

You discover another one of those great craters ... [snip] (HINT: You have better options here if you have met the Wildwife and left her peacefully.)

You also see three baby Giants sitting nearby, playing with some rocks.

They are going to grow up into giants so kill them!
- 2 villagers take 14-15 wounds each
  - Good
    - +3XP
  - ???
Burn the Giant's body and look for clues
- Alright we will bring them food - 100 food should do the trick (only available if you have that much food)
  - Gain ~13 Silver or Obsidian
  - +3XP
  - Map marker remains to visit again.
- Just leave them be, not your problem.
- We don't have enough food, but we will try to bring some.
Try to find the Giants you already helped out, and see if they can take care of these little ones. [Requirement: Must have encounter the Wildwife (see above) of Vielkolud (see below) already and interacted peacefully with them]
- 3 villagers gain 35 turn Bless of Health
- +3XP
Just leave them be, not your problem.

Part 3 - returning to the babies

If you don't kill them, you can return and feed them again. On the second visit, you can feed them 100 food and you should get a stack of valuable gemstones (Diamonds or Moonstones) and +2XP.

On the third visit to this location the babies will be gone, but you should find a small amount of gemstones (probably Rubies) +2XP

Vielkolud

Your scouts have spotted a group of Vielkolud roaming the hills in the distance. They moved away now, but maybe they hold some clues to the Weatherer giant you seek.

A moving map marker appears. +1XP. When you meet the marker:

You come across a rowdy pack of rowdy Vielkolud...

Fight [1 orange skull challenge] (you will fight 3 Vielkolud, each very tough)
- Success:
  - Loot: Several stacks of top tier resources, 2-3 trinkets
  - +10 XP 2RP
Hey, slow down, guys! We just want to talk...
- Try to wriggle free [4 skull Physical]
  - Success. 2 villagers get 20 turn Blessing of Dexterity, 1 villager gets +1 Dexterity
    - You should be looking for Wildwives!
      - +10XP 2RP
    - Fight [5 skull challenge]
- You're feeling the urge for find some wildwives...
  - [4 skull physical] as above
  - Your ghost friend is able to escape the bonds without trouble (requires a ghost in the party) - see below
- Your ghost friend is able to escape the bonds without trouble (requires a ghost in the party)
  - The Vielkvolud get scared of the ghost and run away
  - Loot: some minerals and an artifact
    - Attack [1 orange skull fight] - as per fight challenge above
    - Let them leave
      - +10XP 2RP

The Weatherer

Your scouts spot strange weather activity in the distance. This time, it is the Weatherer for sure. Map marker appears.

When you encounter the map marker:

Attack this giant [4 RED skull fight]
- Loot: 2 top tier ranged weapons, 1 medium armor, 2 mid tier weapons, an artifact and, 3 top/mid tier materials
  - Oh, good, maybe it's the Umbrage Lord's lair.
    - Sacrifice the life force of two of your own people to summon a Viatroviec into your service!
      - Lose 2 Random people. Gain a LVL 15 Viatroviec.
      - Good, we need all the help we can get. Time to find this Umbrage lord.
      - +14XP 1RP
    - Keep it safe, and draw only some of the power to strengthen your people.
    - ????
  - ???
Hey, wait, stop
- [4 skull Hex] - requires magic of a certain level
  - 1 villager +2 Magic +3 Will
  - Every member of expedition gains 20 turn Bless of Will
    - Do you know what I need to do?
      - Yes we do
        +10XP 2RP. Another map marker appears. See part 2
      - Yes, we do...
        I do not trust you. Help me to rescue my fellow Planetnik from a group of pesky softskins live yourselves.
        No! We will not kill our own kind [3 skull RED Fight]
        
        OK
        +10XP 2RP
        
        Another map marker appears. see Part 2, Gulliver's Travels version
      - ???
      - ???
- [4 skull Physical]
  - Success (no reward) - see "Do you know what I need to do?" above

Part 2

NOTE: There are 2 different versions of what can occur here. It may be related to whether you were just killing Giants in the encounters above, or if you helped some of them. I think if you help some at least (like the Wildwife and the Giant babies), then the 2nd option (Gulliver Travels version) occurs. You find the group of Platetniks the weatherer told you about...

Use your powers of persuasion. Social
- 6 members gain Bless of speech 20 turn
  - [3 red skull Social] (NOTE: Although it says 3 skull Red, it doesn't seem to be that difficult)
    - 2 villagers gain +4 speech +1 Intelligence
    - +12XP 1RP
    - Giants Return final marker returns (see below)
Use logic and knowledge. [3 skull Intelliect]
- Success
  - 2 villagers +4 Speech +1 Intelligence
  - +12 XP 1RP
  - Giants Return final marker returns (see below)
???
???

OR (Gulliver Travels version)

You approach what must have been a settlement once, but now you see many destroyed huts and a Giant lying flat on his back, tied with many ropes. There are people sitting on top of him, poking him and laughing.

Attack the people! - leads to the same options as the Social challenge below
Try to talk to the people [5 skull social]
- As you approach the scene..[snip].. unliving giants attack
  - 5 skull Fight
    - Loot: Misc mid-top tier weapons, armour and resources
    - +12XP 1RP
    - Giants Return final marker returns (see below)
  - Try to outwit the Giants! [5 skull Tactics]
    - No loot
    - +12XP 1RP
    - Giants Return final marker returns (see below)

Giant Slayer

Seek out stacks of enemies Giants and defeat them. I believe you have to attack them, not win on defence. Once you have defeated 6 stacks (number may vary depending on game difficulty), this event should occur:

You have now slain many Giants, and you feel the presence of the Umbrage Lord nearby!

Map marker added. At the map marker:

...'You, you killed Giants! You waste their deaths! But I see you are not worthy of my time. I feared my enemy rising up, not mere worms'. The Shadow creature turns and moves away, as fast as the wind!

Tracking it! [3 skull Hunting]
Run after it! [4 skull Physical]
- Success
  - Great, now we can end this thing!
    - A Shade joins the party (Level 14, good stats)
    - Giants Return final map marker added (see below)
    - +10XP 1RP
  - ???

Giants Return final marker

You approach the lair of the Umbrage lord ..[snip]]

Approach the Umbrage Lord! (this option appears if you found the Weatherer)
- The Weather appears at your side, ready to assist you. (The Weatherer character joins your expedition for the battle)
  - [5 red skull Fight]
    - Loot: Lots of top tier weapons, armour, trinkets, resources. About 12 stacks in all (only about 5 stacks if you failed at the Social challenge first)
      - We wish to have the precious stones
        Another "Giants Return" map marker is added which leads to a chasm (see bottom)
        
        +20XP 5RP
      - We would like to grow stronger!
        Entire expedtion gains +3 Strength
        
        +20XP 5RP
  - [5 red skull Social]
    - Success. Weatherer leaves your expedition.
      - So, what now?
        Gain a Planetnik (awesome!) ... sometimes Mroki joins instead (not sure why, possibly stealth based???)
        
        +20XP 5RP
      - ???
    - Failure
      - 4 villagers receive 15 wounds each
      - You are then forced to do the 5 skull fight - see above
Approach the Umbrage Lord! (this option appears if you chose to kill Giants)
- The Darkness must be defeated! [5 dark red skull Fight] (NOTE: This is a ridiculously tough fight! The Umbrage lord has about 550 Health!!!)
  - Success
    - Loot: Lots of top tier weapons, armour, trinkets, resources
      - Yes, dominate the shadow creature
        a Shadow Creature joins the expedition
        
        +20XP 5RP
      - We would like to grow stronger!
        +3 Strength for all of your characters on the map
        
        +20XP 5RP
      - no, we don't want it
- ???
Come back later
???

Giants Return - Chasm

You find the chasm created by the Weatherer... [snip]

NOTE: This map marker is good for 3 visits. The first two will earn you loot, the third time it is closed.

Great, mine the precious stones!
- [4 skull physical]
  - Success
    - Great, get some precious stones
      - Gain ~23 Moonstones and ~10 Diamonds
      - +1XP
    - ???